Which, I know, right? A-Rod has supporters? Besides me, anyway. I couldn’t make it, though, because apparently the airlines don’t give apologist discounts for last minute fares. Which is totally unfair. I’d be there waving a flag and stuff, though.

But before you lament society’s degenerate nature, it’s not like there are throngs of people there. Just a small fervent base:

ARod arrived in black SUV at 927, accompanied by lawyer Joe Tacopina. ARod immediately went to group of supporters waving Dominican flags.

Call me cynical — and with the caveat that I haven’t seen any larger photos showing the entire area yet — but I can’t help but think this is less grassroots support than Astroturf. A-Rod’s legal team is not made up of P.R. newbies, and they are probably quite able to rangle up a group of folks to show up around the time A-Rod’s car showed up at hearing headquarters.

If we later learn that there were thousands chanting “Free A-Rod,” however, we can reexamine what we think of society’s degenerate nature.

Honest inquiry: Do you support A-Rod – the man, player, human being? Or do you support A-Rod – because MLB has regulations and a contract with players/MLBPA and A-rod should get a fair chance to appeal?

Clearly Dominican tourists lined up to see History’s Greatest Monster as part of their must-see US tour. Don’t knock it. I went to Loch Ness when I went to Scotland.

Old Gator - Sep 30, 2013 at 3:47 PM

Do you remember the sign on the fence behind the “information center” in Drumnadrochit: “Don’t cross this field unless you can do it in 23.17 seconds. The bull can do it in 23.18″?

ishwishfish - Sep 30, 2013 at 9:20 PM

Drumnadrochit, very impressive laddie!

scoutsaysweitersisabust - Sep 30, 2013 at 11:26 AM

Personally, I could care less about the man, player, or human being. I don’t attach myself to people I don’t actually live/work/socialize myself with, especially when their actions don’t affect my life one damn bit. He, like all athletes are entertainers, and we tend to forget that. But I do support following rules and regulations you have agreed upon and bargained for, and not unilaterally making up shit as you go along just because it suits you at the moment.

SO you don’t go “awww” when you see a picture of a puppy who fell asleep with it’s tongue out because you don’t live/work/socialize with said puppy?

bad example, I know, but my point is not whether you care about the person or not. My point is whether you support the person because he is going through a hard time as a human being or because he is exercising his rights.

scoutsaysweitersisabust - Sep 30, 2013 at 12:38 PM

Actually, no I don’t. But I do go awwww when I see a picture of my puppy with her tongue out. I just can’t really get so uppity over a baseball player. Just like I don’t care who’s dating who on Dancing with the C-List celebrities. It’s all so….High-School.

I’ll save my righteous indignation for something that will actually effect my life in some tangible way.

Um, no offense, but are u color blind? The hand at his side is wearing a brown suit. His extended hand matches the color of the suit he’s wearing, blue.
BTW, my wife and son are color blind so really, no offense.

The vast majority of fans don’t really care about this. The only players who are vilified when they get caught are those who were not fan favorites to begin with. Jason Giambi, an admitted roid monster, is celebrated as a hero in Cleveland. Ditto Andy Pettite in NY. David Ortiz, on the Mitchell Report, beloved. Manny Ramirez, suspended TWICE, would get a standing ovation at two different stadiums if he walked out on the field to throw out the first pitch of either team’s first playoff game. Ryan Braun will be welcomed back with open arms. Do you need more examples? Who do we demonize? A-Rod, who most fans found to be petulant and greedy long before he was linked to PEDs. Barry Bonds, surly and uncooperative with the media throughout his career. We don’t really care if players use PEDs, as long as they say they’re sorry and sign autographs for us.